Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are property and copyright Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original story is copyright 2003 Star24.
Chapter Six
Seattle, Coffee Shop
The coffee shop where Logan had asked Max to meet him, was busy with lunch customers. He had managed to get a table for two, and he sat checking his watch frequently, as he waited for her. The waitress was beginning to give him dirty looks as time passed without him ordering anything other than a cup of coffee, and he was about to give up and leave, when a pair of small hands covered his eyes.
Logan smiled as he reached up and pulled them down. "It's about time you made it here. I think the waitress was about to call the sector cops to evict me. I thought maybe you didn't get my page."
Max shrugged as she dropped into the vacant chair next to the one Logan was occupying. "Got here as quick as I could. There was a long line at the Sector Six checkpoint."
Logan leaned over and pulled her in for what was intended to be a light kiss. Somehow it turned into something a bit more, and the two were startled when a "Harrumph" sounded next to them. They jumped apart.
"You two planning on ordering something?" the waitress inquired sarcastically. "In case you hadn't noticed, this is a coffee shop not a cheap hotel. That would be two buildings down."
"You planning on giving me a menu so I can see what there is to order?" Max snapped back at her, refusing to be intimidated.
The waitress slapped a menu down in front of her and stalked off.
Max and Logan looked at each other and started to laugh.
"That was embarrassing." Logan said.
"Logan Cale caught making out with a girl in public. Bet that hasn't happened since you were about sixteen years old." Max teased.
"At least," he admitted somewhat sheepishly.
The waitress returned and the two ordered lunch. When she left, Max looked at Logan. "What was the big rush to meet for lunch?"
Logan hesitated and looked down at his ice tea as he stirred sugar into it. "I didn't want to wait until tonight to see you," he finally admitted.
Max smiled at his admission. "So, did you send your cousin home already?"
"I told her I'd drive her back this afternoon. She's watching some of my old movies right now, and when I get home I'll pack her up and drop her off." Max raised her eyebrows and he continued, "I'll be back in plenty of time for tonight. Unless you want to come along for the ride?"
The food arrived and Max took a bite of her sandwich. "Nah. I'd rather head home and clean up after work before I come over. In case you haven't noticed, it's making like the 40 days of rain out there."
"Why don't you grab some clothes and come by my place when you get off? I'll be taking Melanie home and you'll have the place to yourself, not to mention the hot running water." Logan suggested.
Max smiled when he mentioned the hot water, "I might just do that."
The rest of their lunch was spent in light chatter. All too soon Max looked at her watch and got up with a sigh, "If I'm gonna get my deliveries done and get over to your place before midnight, I better jet."
Logan put some money on the table and rose to walk her out. When they were in the doorway he put a hand on Max's arm and looked down at her. "Don't drown out there, okay?"
She smiled at him. "Not a chance."
He leaned in for a quick kiss and then watched as Max darted over to her bike which was chained to a lamp post. Then he pulled his jacket collar up and walked to his car, smiling to himself as he thought of the night to come.
Fogle Towers
Logan let himself into his apartment and pulled off his damp jacket. He tossed it in the direction of the coat rack that stood in the entrance hallway and paused. Instead of the sound of the television blasting out one of his old movies, there was silence.
"Melanie?"
There was no answer and he strode into the living room. DVD's were scattered on the floor but the television was off.
"Mel? You around?" he called again as he walked back to the guestroom. He looked in, but the room was empty. The bed was unmade and a used towel was dropped in a heap on the floor, but there was no other evidence of occupancy.
He frowned as he walked out to his computer room. His computer equipment appeared untouched but the shelves where he kept his books and papers had been ransacked. Papers were scattered on the floor and books were stacked next to the computer. Logan looked puzzled as he took in the mess.
Not bothering to pick anything up, he walked over to where his phone sat. He picked up the phone, but then put it down as he saw a folded paper next to it. His name was scrawled on the outside. He unfolded the paper and let out an oath as he read it.
Cousin Logan,
I'm sorry but I had to take your manuscript. You know the one I mean. The really rare one. Mom is in trouble and if I didn't get it for her, Dad would probably kick her out and divorce her. She doesn't know I took it – I told her you gave it to me to help her out. By the time you get this she won't have it anymore anyway, so maybe you can just tell her that. It's just a manuscript anyway, right? I mean my parents are screwed up but they're the only ones I have. If you want I'll make it up to you somehow. Maybe I can come clean your place once a week or something.
Love,
Melanie
Logan crumbled the paper in his hand and tossed it on the floor. He looked at his watch, picked up the phone, and punched in Max's cell number. When her voicemail greeting came on, he left a brief message.
"Max? Can I meet you at your place at five? I need your help with something. I'm on my way out now, and then I'll head over there. Thanks."
He snapped the phone closed and strode to the front hallway. He pulled on his still damp jacket and let himself out, closing the door behind him with a decided slam.
End of Chapter Six
